1 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:36,119 Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This 2 00:00:36,359 --> 00:00:40,439 is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it 3 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:46,960 to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, Follow us on Twitter at 4 00:00:47,119 --> 00:00:52,920 Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com slash 5 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:58,200 Great Detectives. Today's program is brought in part by the financial support of our 6 00:00:58,280 --> 00:01:02,479 listeners. You can support the show. I'm mailing a donation to Adam Graham 7 00:01:02,520 --> 00:01:08,079 peelbox one five nine one three. That's Peelbox one five nine thirteen, Boise, 8 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:12,840 Idaho eight three seven one five. You can also become one of our 9 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:19,000 ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as two dollars per month by going to Patreon 10 00:01:19,159 --> 00:01:25,120 dot Great Detectives dot net. I want to thank Rachel for upgrading her support 11 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:29,760 from the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollars and fourteen cents or more per month 12 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:34,760 to the Master Detective level of fifteen dollars or more per month. Thank you 13 00:01:34,879 --> 00:01:38,680 so much for your support, Rachel. And now it is time for this 14 00:01:38,799 --> 00:01:45,640 week's episode of Dragnet. The original aired eight April thirteenth, nineteen fifty and 15 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:59,640 the title is the Big Watch. The story you're about to hear is true, 16 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:13,639 only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective 17 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:19,800 sergeant. You're assigned to Robbery Detail. Vicious gunmen have committed assaults, robberies, 18 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,599 attempted murders. They're victims. Army officers station in your city, your 19 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:39,479 job. Get them. Dragnet the documented drama of an actual crime. For 20 00:02:39,639 --> 00:02:44,840 the next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you 21 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:47,360 will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case, 22 00:02:47,400 --> 00:02:53,360 from official police files, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. 23 00:02:53,759 --> 00:02:59,960 Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Wednesday, 24 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,280 February third. It was cold in Los Angeles. We're working the Night 25 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:07,120 Watch out of Robbery Detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad 26 00:03:07,159 --> 00:03:09,319 Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name is Friday. It was one forty 27 00:03:09,319 --> 00:03:16,400 five am when we got to Highland Park Division Booking Desk. Hi Shepherd, 28 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:22,439 Hi Friday, Ben, Hi brings you out here. We've got one of 29 00:03:22,439 --> 00:03:25,120 the books. Ye if you want to do the owner. Okay, just 30 00:03:25,159 --> 00:03:32,639 a minute, Oh I sharpen this pezzle right all right, Jackson, take 31 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:42,960 it easy, yeah, I lax. Huh jerks, okay, yeah, 32 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:47,759 let me get a new form in the machine. All right. What's your 33 00:03:47,840 --> 00:03:55,639 name? Roy Jackson? DRIs four to fourteen, Alabama Street age twenty three. 34 00:03:57,520 --> 00:04:02,560 Location of r S seventeen thirty West hill an Old Ranger taverner Uh. 35 00:04:02,879 --> 00:04:10,199 Time of rest uh eleven twenty five pm. I chared your suspicion to eleven 36 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:14,199 pc PC. Come on, come on, let's get yourself away here. 37 00:04:14,199 --> 00:04:16,199 You got lots of time. Let's check your property. Alright, Jackson, 38 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:26,920 everything out of your pockets. I'm on the desk. What about my kids? 39 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:28,720 You won't need him for a while. Put'em on the desk. 40 00:04:30,879 --> 00:04:35,040 Uh, you forgot your watch? Take it off, all right? Yeah? 41 00:04:35,079 --> 00:04:42,079 That ring too, Yeah? That everything. I'll shake him down. 42 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:49,800 Yeah, that's everything. Okay, let me list it here. One brown 43 00:04:50,399 --> 00:04:55,639 man's wallet contents, I'll call him off. Yeah, huh okay, one 44 00:04:55,680 --> 00:05:00,560 black pocket, comb, a comb at that, one key chain and ring 45 00:05:00,639 --> 00:05:04,240 with two five keys. Good luck, chime on it, five keys, 46 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:11,160 good luck for Yeah, let's see, there's ten. Let'em eleven dollars 47 00:05:11,199 --> 00:05:17,120 and sixty three cents in cash, eleven six three one man's wristwatch, uh 48 00:05:17,439 --> 00:05:24,079 Waltham. One man's ring you got there? Yeah, yellow metal, a 49 00:05:24,199 --> 00:05:28,120 ring ring on a white stone. It's a diamond ring. That's god. 50 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:32,199 One man's fountain pen. Fountain pen, that's it. Yeah, okay, 51 00:05:33,639 --> 00:05:44,399 Uh, just put all stuff now, Hope, Okay, Uh get me 52 00:05:44,399 --> 00:05:49,439 a bookie number one. You're Jimmy. There's a receipt for your stuff, 53 00:05:49,519 --> 00:05:56,600 Jackson itemized. Yeah, here's your coffee fellas, thanks yap, murd icks. 54 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,959 How a god one for you? You gotta slip on? Yeah, 55 00:06:00,240 --> 00:06:03,839 here him, let's go. It's a minute. You've got nothing else to 56 00:06:03,879 --> 00:06:06,639 say. Hunt Jackson been yapping at me for two hours. I told you 57 00:06:06,680 --> 00:06:11,240 all. I'm gonna tell you. Six robberies, six assaults, three attempted 58 00:06:11,319 --> 00:06:14,399 murders. It's a tough, rapid standalone. What about your palace? You've 59 00:06:14,439 --> 00:06:20,519 got my story? Okay, take him? Oh m Stummer. Yeah, 60 00:06:20,639 --> 00:06:28,920 we better get the arrest on a teletaph. Alright, h what two a 61 00:06:29,079 --> 00:06:30,839 m. And it's a long day when it's fat brown coming in the door. 62 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:34,240 Yeah, alright, gee, Ahi, what are you doing out here 63 00:06:34,240 --> 00:06:36,800 this time of the morning. I'm my way home, but I'll drop by 64 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:42,480 and call the office forgot something about Jackson do any good? Not much, 65 00:06:42,519 --> 00:06:44,800 He's got a story. He's take him to it. Where'd you pick him 66 00:06:44,879 --> 00:06:46,279 up? Bar on Hill Street? When he booked him here? It's out 67 00:06:46,319 --> 00:06:49,240 of the way. Jackson finger into the game, Yeah, questioned him two 68 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:54,720 hours. Hm you either you gotta smoke? No? Yeah, there you 69 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:58,120 go. Well, let's uh, let's go in this office. Sit lemn 70 00:06:58,959 --> 00:07:02,639 it's a good idea. I feeder kin and it'll be hard to figure this 71 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:11,680 thing, all right? Yeah? Thanks, gang are chief hoods armed with 72 00:07:11,759 --> 00:07:15,120 the teeth, slugging and shooting their way around town, coming from all directions. 73 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:17,319 We got it fairly well narrowed down. And nine out of the ten 74 00:07:17,399 --> 00:07:21,000 jobs they pulled they operated either in San Pedro, the central area, or 75 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:25,199 hollingback. Still haven't any idea where they pick army officers for their victims. 76 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:29,639 If Jackson wouldn't tell us, why are they're most still the same? You 77 00:07:29,680 --> 00:07:31,519 haven't switched. I had a bit the hold up men and still dress his 78 00:07:31,639 --> 00:07:34,800 arm army enlisted men. They steal a car off a right to officers, 79 00:07:34,800 --> 00:07:39,160 slug'em, rob'em, and shoot'em. Same thing ten times over. 80 00:07:39,199 --> 00:07:41,959 If the army check their personnel out at the fort. Keep them tabs 81 00:07:41,959 --> 00:07:44,879 on as close as possible. I don't think it's a work when they BONAFI 82 00:07:44,920 --> 00:07:46,839 and listed then though, uh, we'll haul out Jackson. Talk to him 83 00:07:46,839 --> 00:07:49,319 again in the morning. Maybe be ready to tell us something by then. 84 00:07:49,439 --> 00:07:51,879 Stay out'em. If you need any more men from Metropolitan to help out 85 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:56,079 'em the same limit, know, okay Ski put them in good claw and 86 00:07:56,160 --> 00:08:11,160 at home late. Yeah, vacation at what was it cold? Three Chef 87 00:08:11,480 --> 00:08:18,879 thirty first of stabforged two eleven and shooting Chief Brown, Ben and I got 88 00:08:18,879 --> 00:08:20,839 to the scene at two twenty am. An ambulance was already there, along 89 00:08:20,879 --> 00:08:24,759 with two cruiser cars and a half a dozen curious onlookers. Lying face down 90 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:28,959 on the dirt road about fifteen feet off Stanford Avenue was a man dressed in 91 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:33,519 an army officer's uniform. He wore first lieutenant bars. His blouse had been 92 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:35,480 half ripped off, and the side of his face was bruised and swollen. 93 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,480 The back of his head showed the results of a vicious beating. There were 94 00:08:39,480 --> 00:08:41,840 two bullet wounds in his left shoulder. A few feet away. Sprawled out 95 00:08:41,879 --> 00:08:46,120 on his back as a major he'd been brutally beaten, but he was still 96 00:08:46,159 --> 00:08:48,720 conscious. While the ambulance attendants gave first aid, we questioned him briefly. 97 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:54,759 Both bodies were lying thirty feet from the interurban railway tracks. We love for 98 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:58,279 telling you saw it happened. Hit me on the off the gun can't talk 99 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:03,919 you well, no, don't pryly good at me. How was Lieutenant Kelly? 100 00:09:03,919 --> 00:09:05,080 He was with me. They were okay, they're getting him in the 101 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:09,200 ambulance. We were a hitch hiking down town, Kelly and me, two 102 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:13,759 men and the Gray Sadan kicked us up. He said we were going back 103 00:09:13,799 --> 00:09:16,279 to Fort. All of the men dressed to remember. Too much noise when 104 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:24,879 you say, always that with ping e train going by? Now, can 105 00:09:24,919 --> 00:09:28,480 you tell us about it? Mister man? When is it? Tech? 106 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,879 Sergeant and on a private he said, They drive us back to Fort had 107 00:09:31,919 --> 00:09:35,840 a Gray Sadan pony. Excuse me, no, sure, I'll have to 108 00:09:35,879 --> 00:09:41,919 take care of those face wounds. Get him go ahead. Okay, did 109 00:09:41,919 --> 00:09:45,320 you see the license number on their car? Too dark? Now? Gray 110 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:50,720 Sadan pull gun stop the car here? Good gun money everything that's so sting 111 00:09:50,759 --> 00:09:54,200 a little? Yeah, that's good. You think you'd reckon there's the men. 112 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:58,080 If you sewe him again? One was tall six two I guess think 113 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:03,279 I know. They shot Kelly, tried around, they shut him. How 114 00:10:03,399 --> 00:10:07,240 is he he's okay? Is there anything else you can tell us about the 115 00:10:07,279 --> 00:10:09,480 man? Ambulance is ready? Or take him? We can talk to him 116 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:22,440 later. Ali rah, yeah, easy, okay, okay, back, 117 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:26,440 it's not getting any better. I sure like to cut him up. Don't 118 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:30,639 they go to good set of footprints over there, tire impressions. Better call 119 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,399 the crime run. Yeah, two men and a good shitan. How does 120 00:10:33,399 --> 00:10:37,519 that mess up? The sink them all army officers. But on the gunman? 121 00:10:37,639 --> 00:10:39,399 Was tall? Anything tell you? But most of the other victims games 122 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:43,879 that description. Either the same tall guy works most of the jobs or he's 123 00:10:43,919 --> 00:10:46,600 got a twin brother. He stat's office. Make a run on the description 124 00:10:46,639 --> 00:10:48,759 for you for a different times. Nothing. I better get this new information 125 00:10:48,799 --> 00:10:52,600 on the air out of way. Yeah. We steal a different car for 126 00:10:52,679 --> 00:10:56,240 every job. In the morning after we find the car usually clean, no 127 00:10:56,399 --> 00:11:01,480 prints. This thing doesn't d up in my book. Army officers aren't loaded 128 00:11:01,519 --> 00:11:07,440 with them, I said, Army officers aren'tloaded with doe. These punks are 129 00:11:07,519 --> 00:11:11,240 after something else beside your money. What do you mean for every dollar of 130 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:13,279 the steal, they break a bone? How does that ship up to you? 131 00:11:13,799 --> 00:11:15,960 Do you think they like to draw bled? I think so. I 132 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:18,879 think they're pointing for murder. What's the motive? Chief forgot the motives. 133 00:11:18,399 --> 00:11:22,159 I don't care what their reason is. Somebody's robbing and shooting. It's our 134 00:11:22,279 --> 00:11:24,200 job to stop them. It's in trouble with motives. How I mean they 135 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:31,960 always show up. After the murder, two forty am crime lab crew arrived 136 00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:35,200 and went to work searching the area for evidence and taking casts of the footprints 137 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:39,360 and tyrant presses. The Chief of Detectives, Ben and I drove back to 138 00:11:39,399 --> 00:11:43,600 Georgia Street Receiving Hospital in time to watch the doctor remove two thirty eight caliber 139 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:46,200 slugs from the shoulder of one of the victims from his ID bracelet. He 140 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:50,120 was identified as Harold Kelly, first Lieutenant Signal Corps, US Army. The 141 00:11:50,159 --> 00:11:56,000 other victim was Major Richard Farmer, Signal Corps. I intiled the slugs for 142 00:11:56,039 --> 00:11:58,360 evidence, and then we drove back to the crime lab and dropped them off 143 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:03,159 the next morning before they were transferred to a military hospital for further treatment. 144 00:12:03,639 --> 00:12:07,960 We talked with Lieutenant Kellyan Major Farmer builled out a robbery report and won for 145 00:12:07,039 --> 00:12:11,480 a crime against person. Five minutes past ten, we checked back into robbery 146 00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:13,919 details. Better see if we can get us to noog If wen yus a 147 00:12:13,919 --> 00:12:18,039 out of paperwork to get you up for Yeah, I'm gonna have to learn 148 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,919 short now, Joe, Yeah, yeah, mana a minute, will you 149 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:26,200 ry picked up the gray sedan using that job last night? Where out on 150 00:12:26,279 --> 00:12:28,840 Laguna about a block for Maco Park. They find any nothing. The boys 151 00:12:28,840 --> 00:12:33,120 from Layton Fingerprints called just before you came in. They dusted the car inside 152 00:12:33,159 --> 00:12:35,200 out. No, look that Roy Jackson we picked up last night as almice. 153 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:39,360 I've got the stake out on his boardment Yeah, Freemont and ta trick. 154 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:41,320 Nothing yet. What do you find out at the hospital this morning? 155 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:46,440 Well, we talked to Lieutenant Kelly and that major Farmer again still in bad 156 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,759 shape. You have anything to add now? We got their crime reports and 157 00:12:48,799 --> 00:12:52,639 a list of the property take and gave it to pawn shop Detail to put 158 00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:54,120 on the stolen property list. What are the hold up men doing with all 159 00:12:54,159 --> 00:12:58,600 the stuff they grabbed? Watches, cigarette cases, men's jewelry, so all 160 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:01,879 on the stolen property list on shots have been a letter. It's not showing 161 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:05,759 up robbery. Walker. Yeah, just a minute you Joe, thank you 162 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:16,120 right, Jelly m m Yeah, we'll need it. Bye. Lee Jones 163 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:20,159 just ran a make on the two slugs they took out of a lieutenant's shoulder. 164 00:13:20,240 --> 00:13:22,799 Yeah, they came from the same gun that wounded four of the other 165 00:13:22,879 --> 00:13:26,320 victims. Figures. How about the footprint cast they took out there last night? 166 00:13:26,480 --> 00:13:28,679 Now, it didn't work out, Lee said. He tried matching him 167 00:13:28,720 --> 00:13:31,240 up with that set of prints we came across on that job Sunday. There's 168 00:13:31,279 --> 00:13:35,159 no match. All right, Gee, iad sit down. Thanks filled them 169 00:13:35,159 --> 00:13:39,000 in yet, Walker, Ya just getting over last night's case. What do 170 00:13:39,039 --> 00:13:41,519 you got? Welcome and we're talking over this morningful You two checked in about 171 00:13:41,519 --> 00:13:46,480 these hitchhike banded jobs. Yeah, tried everything short of a blockade. You 172 00:13:46,519 --> 00:13:48,919 grab the hold up men, obvious is not working. About the army brands, 173 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:52,559 They're doing all I can already, it's up to us. I'm gonna 174 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:56,480 need more men and better coverage. What are you figuring on? System decoys 175 00:13:56,639 --> 00:13:58,679 planeted around the city in nearby area, these hitchhike band it's been operating again. 176 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:01,600 Take a lot of men, isn't it be worthed? It pays off. 177 00:14:01,679 --> 00:14:05,600 About fifty or sixty men should do it. They'll be dressed as second 178 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,840 lieutenants all the way up to colonels. They'll travel in pairs. They're going 179 00:14:07,919 --> 00:14:09,679 to bunk out at the fort. If we're going to arrange it, you 180 00:14:09,759 --> 00:14:13,279 know it'll be instructed to hitchhike your way around town. Bulkham will operate between 181 00:14:13,279 --> 00:14:16,080 eight pm and six am. What kind of support the guy have you? 182 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:20,840 Men and robbery homicide. I'll have a special detail of cars Metropolitan Unit to 183 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:24,279 help cover the unprotected spots. When it is it stuck tonight? No use 184 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:26,879 waiting you fellas. Might as well pass the word down the line. No 185 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:28,639 time off till the gang's locked up. Okay, we got to get those 186 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:31,000 funks and get them fast. We got the men in the machine race. 187 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,919 If there's no reason for not stopping them, No excuses understood, Yes, 188 00:14:35,799 --> 00:14:41,799 excuse me, robbery walker, Hello to you. Yeah, I know, 189 00:14:41,879 --> 00:14:46,120 but I can't make its coach now? What will happened? You just go 190 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:52,200 out ahead and you'll have to explain here? What's that a nickel call? 191 00:14:52,279 --> 00:15:01,120 Yours? Eight pm Thursday, with ourmission of the Commanding General sixth Army, 192 00:15:01,159 --> 00:15:05,480 a total of fifty five men addressed as army officers spread out over the city 193 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:09,120 to serve as decoys for the hitchhiked bandits. They were well armed and they 194 00:15:09,120 --> 00:15:13,399 traveled in pairs. For the first night, it was the plan to concentrate 195 00:15:13,440 --> 00:15:16,159 in the central area Holland Beck and San Pedro. We started cruising in the 196 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:20,039 central area at eight o'clock along with the rest of the detail. The time 197 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:24,639 went slow, midnight came still no sign. We waited out the rest of 198 00:15:24,679 --> 00:15:28,919 the night. In the early morning, nothing happened. We figured on some 199 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:33,320 action on the weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Nothing happened, seemed like 200 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:35,399 to hold up. Men somehow had since the decoys and we're staying undercover. 201 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:39,440 Monday night, February eighth, the same thing all over again. Three am 202 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:43,480 came and went, no sign. I'm kind of hungry. You want a 203 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,279 hot dog? We can need them in the car. No, you go 204 00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:48,559 ahead, may have you a bag of potato chips. You want to see 205 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:56,639 if they got them? Okay, I'm right back. Yes, we're one 206 00:15:56,679 --> 00:16:00,200 hot dog, one and give me a bag of those potato chips here too. 207 00:16:00,279 --> 00:16:03,080 But okay, do you want everything on that hot dogs? Everything but 208 00:16:03,159 --> 00:16:06,879 relishes? No, you don't like rather, No, okay, no, 209 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:14,399 come on, let's skip that hot dog man whatever just came in. Catch 210 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:22,200 a repeat. I called you ainy of horse, and figure out a shilling 211 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:33,559 from Okay, hit the siren, let's move. When we got to the 212 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:37,480 scene, neither of the two victims were identified as police decoys. One of 213 00:16:37,519 --> 00:16:40,279 them had already been placed in the ambulance, then went over to talk to 214 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:42,759 him. The second victim was still lying in the street, his chest riddled 215 00:16:42,799 --> 00:16:47,720 with bullet wounds. Two figures bent over him, an ambulance attendant and a 216 00:16:47,799 --> 00:16:51,200 priest. I haven't leaved Jerusalem. Why God shall wipe away with tears from 217 00:16:51,279 --> 00:16:53,759 your eyes? Why I shall be no more sorrow, no more sickness, 218 00:16:53,879 --> 00:16:57,960 no more death, Or you will live forever in possession of that happiness which 219 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:02,519 the eye has not seen, nor the ear hath heard. Neither hath it 220 00:17:02,639 --> 00:17:06,079 entered into the heart of men. But things God hath prepared for them that 221 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:10,319 love him. Same sad episode, Hey Jack names a victim can't help as 222 00:17:11,319 --> 00:17:14,720 women in the name of the fatherland of the Son and of the Holy ghost 223 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:37,160 men. Here's your answer. You are listening to dragnets. Wednesday, February 224 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:41,920 tenth At the inquest, the murder victim was identified as Marine Corps Lieutenant Robert 225 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:45,279 Paul Lawrence, aged twenty four. The bullets removed from the body at autopsy 226 00:17:45,279 --> 00:17:48,359 were taken to the crime lab where the ballistics men ran them through. They 227 00:17:48,400 --> 00:17:52,319 were fired from the same gun used in the previous hold up shootings by the 228 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,920 Hitchhike Bandits. The companion of the victim at the time his murder, could 229 00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:57,480 add a little to what we already knew as far as the descriptions of the 230 00:17:57,519 --> 00:18:02,440 gun were concerned. The following morning, Ben and I drove out to the 231 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,519 home of the murdered man to interview his father, a colonel Marine Corps retired 232 00:18:08,759 --> 00:18:19,599 black wreath on the door. Yeah, the bait house in it. Yes, 233 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:25,160 police off so I can try. I'm sorying to maryl Oh. Yes, 234 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:27,640 I saw you the other day at the Yes. See we hate the 235 00:18:27,680 --> 00:18:30,759 body again. But we'd like to ask you a few questions. Yes, 236 00:18:32,200 --> 00:18:36,519 all right, will you step ahead? Thank you? In this way. 237 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:41,039 It was a small man, well built with thick snow white hair, combed 238 00:18:41,039 --> 00:18:45,359 straight back and unneath white mustache well trimmed. He walked deliberately with his shoulders 239 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,240 thrown back as he showed us into a large living room richly furnished. The 240 00:18:49,279 --> 00:18:53,400 picture of the Battle of Bellow Woods hung over the large fireplace. The rest 241 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:59,119 of the pictures in the room were famous Marine Corps officers. Now, gentlemen, 242 00:18:59,559 --> 00:19:02,279 how can I help him? It's about your son, Robert. Uh. 243 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,759 We didn't want to bother you at the inquest. Yes, I guess 244 00:19:04,799 --> 00:19:08,279 I don't have to tell you. Bob's death was a blow. Yes, 245 00:19:08,799 --> 00:19:14,359 he's been staying here with me from time to time since my wife died last 246 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:19,440 year. How's this big needs people? Just myself? The wife gone, 247 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:22,079 yes, sir, we'll only take a minute. You see, everything had 248 00:19:22,079 --> 00:19:25,240 been taken from your son, and we'd like to find out if you know 249 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:27,599 what personal property was carrying at the time he was well, I don't know. 250 00:19:27,720 --> 00:19:30,839 I guess he had the usual things. A few dollars, it's wallet, 251 00:19:32,359 --> 00:19:36,440 Saint Christopher medal, silver and as wild was the same Christopher as a 252 00:19:36,680 --> 00:19:40,200 valuable? Oh not too much, No, not monetarily in that watch? 253 00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:42,799 Well, yes, that was worth something. A pocket was I gave it 254 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:48,680 to Robert when he was commissioned at Quantico. That's his uh graduation picture on 255 00:19:48,799 --> 00:19:56,279 the mantle here this is Robert, Yes, sir, h huh hind boy 256 00:19:56,359 --> 00:20:00,240 saw it. Robert was a good marine. Do you think you could describe 257 00:20:00,279 --> 00:20:04,640 the watch for us? Gold pocket watch? Caught quite a bit when I 258 00:20:04,720 --> 00:20:07,920 bought it for him. There's some engraving on the inside of the cupboard. 259 00:20:08,079 --> 00:20:11,400 What is it? Says from an old marine to a young one, signed 260 00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,880 Dad? Anything else about it? Said? Very fine, you're a friend 261 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,440 of mine. Made to watch and has small chimes inside, and when you 262 00:20:18,799 --> 00:20:22,480 push the lever on a side at chimes the hour or nearest quarter or very 263 00:20:22,519 --> 00:20:26,200 clara. Yes, I see, and as far as you know, then 264 00:20:26,279 --> 00:20:29,440 those are on the value because he had with him. Yes, all right, 265 00:20:29,519 --> 00:20:32,480 Colonel Lawrence, thanks very much. You don't have to rush our Can 266 00:20:32,519 --> 00:20:33,839 I fix a couple of college Stay a while, don't you? I'm signed, 267 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,519 Colonel. We have to get back to the office. Oh well, 268 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:41,880 let me show you to the door. I hope I have been of some 269 00:20:41,039 --> 00:20:45,400 help to you. Not feeling so helped a lot? Say thank you, 270 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:56,880 thank you, goodbye? Can nice? Huh oh beautiful FRENCHU everything a man 271 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:03,319 can will except the sun. For the next six days, we got no 272 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:06,920 where. Both robbery and homicide details stayed at work on the case. The 273 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:10,799 city wide decoy plan continued, along with the extra night patrol of Cruiser cars 274 00:21:10,799 --> 00:21:14,680 from the Metropolitan Division. Dozens of leads were received and tracked down. None 275 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:18,319 of them paid off. We stayed on it. But despite all our work 276 00:21:18,400 --> 00:21:22,720 and one week pitch hike, bandits were credited with sixteen car thefts, eight 277 00:21:22,799 --> 00:21:26,599 actual hold ups, and three more assaults with intent to commit murder. February 278 00:21:26,599 --> 00:21:29,279 eighteenth, two pm. Then and I were called the Captain Walker's office. 279 00:21:29,519 --> 00:21:32,759 What was the door, was he ben? Oh? Yeah, what is 280 00:21:32,799 --> 00:21:34,799 it that both of you know? Berdick here? Theft detailed? Oh sure 281 00:21:36,640 --> 00:21:37,799 you want to tell him what you just told me, buddy, Yeah, 282 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:41,440 just telling the Captain. I was on night Watch last night with Resnick and 283 00:21:41,519 --> 00:21:45,440 we picked up this guy for grand theft. Auto got him out in a 284 00:21:45,480 --> 00:21:48,839 bowling alley on Vermont. Yeah. Well, Resnick and I didn't think too 285 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:51,680 much about it. We took him into Central and had him booked. Gave 286 00:21:51,759 --> 00:21:53,880 his name as Clyde Black. As I say, I didn't think too much 287 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,200 about it. But on the way into work, I got to thinking, 288 00:21:56,799 --> 00:22:00,519 this fella comes pretty close to the descript of one of your hitchhike bandits man. 289 00:22:00,839 --> 00:22:03,640 Yeah. He's pretty tall, six two, dark haired, dark eyes, 290 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:07,400 pretty tough. He's still in jail, he's still there. Anybody else 291 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:11,000 talked to him besides you, resident me, that's all. Here's the lugshot 292 00:22:11,039 --> 00:22:14,759 we got on him last night. Take a love, let me see it 293 00:22:14,799 --> 00:22:17,599 seems pretty close. He got a home address on him. Yeah, our 294 00:22:17,640 --> 00:22:21,519 place on on the South Flower. Here's a number. Thanks. Oh yeah, 295 00:22:21,559 --> 00:22:25,440 there was something else, certainly kind of funny. What's that when we 296 00:22:25,519 --> 00:22:27,920 booked a guy in last night. Yeah, and in his back pocket he 297 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:34,279 had a Saint Christopher metal. Ben ed Berdick and I drove out to the 298 00:22:34,319 --> 00:22:37,440 address on south Flower Street, which the prisoner clied Black had listed. His 299 00:22:37,519 --> 00:22:41,720 home address was a rooming house, and the landlord remembered Black, but he 300 00:22:41,759 --> 00:22:45,119 hadn't lived there for two months. He gave us Black's forwarding address, an 301 00:22:45,119 --> 00:22:48,839 apartment on MacArthur Drive. There, the manager told us he hadn't lived in 302 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:52,079 the building for at least a month. He had moved and left no forwarding 303 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:55,920 address. We put tracers through on him with DMV our business office, and 304 00:22:56,119 --> 00:22:59,359 with local merchants in the neighborhoods where he had lived. By six thirty pm, 305 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,720 we had an answer an apartment on Pico Boulevard, just east of Alplorado. 306 00:23:03,119 --> 00:23:04,039 At seven o'clock, we were on our way up in the elevator to 307 00:23:04,079 --> 00:23:14,000 the third floor of the apartment house. It's number three oh seven. Must 308 00:23:14,039 --> 00:23:22,319 be down this way. We run down place, musty yall, this is 309 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:25,839 it? Three oh seven. Somebody's in there. The apartments have backdoors. 310 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:26,799 Joey want me to cover? Yeah, you better hustle, right, I 311 00:23:26,839 --> 00:23:37,400 don't care. Oh yeah, stop talking? Yeah? What is mail man? 312 00:23:37,599 --> 00:23:45,400 Registered letter? Okay? Give me police officers? Oh you guys popped 313 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:55,480 up. They're going out the back ben watching where they got him stopped down 314 00:23:55,559 --> 00:24:00,599 back All right, you not cut it? I mean, I mean that's 315 00:24:00,640 --> 00:24:03,279 one of them. One more joe here, there were three. Alright, 316 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:07,799 let's go insights, come on, Yeah, that's all I'm watch them with 317 00:24:07,839 --> 00:24:11,400 you, Bertie. Yeah, all right, let's look around. Huh. 318 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:25,559 I take a look and a few uniforms for an army. Before we left 319 00:24:25,559 --> 00:24:29,440 the apartment, we searched it thoroughly and found dozens of personal valuables, watches, 320 00:24:29,599 --> 00:24:32,480 rings, and wallets. There was also a thirty eight caliber colt. 321 00:24:32,839 --> 00:24:34,839 We took the three men downtown and booked them at Central Jail, and we 322 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:38,160 dropped off the gun if we found at the crime lab for a ballistics cha 323 00:24:38,799 --> 00:24:44,160 eight thirty five pm, we brought suspect Clyde Black to the interrogation room Captain 324 00:24:44,200 --> 00:24:47,240 Walker Ben and I confronted him with the evidence. Here you are, Black, 325 00:24:47,839 --> 00:25:00,039 take a look at these well and I mind, we know that I 326 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:02,880 saw him before. Watch his jewelry, wallets, say were found in your 327 00:25:02,920 --> 00:25:06,039 apartment, all of them they were. Take a close look auto suft. 328 00:25:06,079 --> 00:25:08,759 That's all you got me on. I want them. I want this stuff 329 00:25:08,799 --> 00:25:11,359 in the crap game. You must be lucky. Crap game. I tell 330 00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:14,440 you, that's how I got it in the crap game. I want to 331 00:25:14,519 --> 00:25:15,720 do it easy, Black. Let's call a stenographer and get it over with. 332 00:25:18,039 --> 00:25:21,079 How much evidence you won? I didn't do it. I get it. 333 00:25:22,640 --> 00:25:26,279 Deerogate you on Friday. Yeah, all of them? Fine, thank 334 00:25:26,319 --> 00:25:29,240 you your gun, Black, They checked it. I didn't do it. 335 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:32,440 Your gun killed that marine and your prints are all over It was one of 336 00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:36,319 the other guys, Max, Max was him, him and Johnny? You 337 00:25:36,519 --> 00:25:37,759 ready to dictate this date? Put them on the fire. Why me you 338 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:42,519 talk to Max? Talk to Johnny? Ed you know? Yeah? Yeah, 339 00:25:42,799 --> 00:25:47,359 nice? We got this watch out of your apartment, too black. 340 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:49,640 How'd you get this? Which? This one right here in the pocket watch? 341 00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:52,400 I don't know. I don't tell us. You want it in the 342 00:25:52,480 --> 00:25:55,200 crap games? Not mine? I never saw it before. Beautiful watch is 343 00:25:55,240 --> 00:25:57,759 engraving on the inside cover. Yeah, look here from an old marine to 344 00:25:57,799 --> 00:26:02,799 a young one. It's not mine. Let me show you how it works. 345 00:26:03,599 --> 00:26:15,440 Push this lever here, see on the side, now, how about 346 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:19,920 it? I hate it. I hated all of them, everything about them. 347 00:26:22,000 --> 00:26:23,640 That lieutenant I had to kill him. He was gonna get away. 348 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:26,839 I had to kill him. I had Why did you pick out office that 349 00:26:26,000 --> 00:26:30,359 day? Had a common pushing guys around? I hated them. I hated 350 00:26:30,359 --> 00:26:33,039 it very long as they bombing their bodies. I'll get the stenographer, yeah, 351 00:26:33,359 --> 00:26:34,480 and then knock off and go home. YouTube. Then I had that 352 00:26:34,599 --> 00:26:38,240 chill them. I hated them. I'll tell them that. I'll tell them 353 00:26:38,279 --> 00:26:41,920 like I told you, just like I told you. Yeah, they'll believe 354 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:52,599 you. Mister. The story you have just heard was true, only the 355 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:56,680 names were changed to protect the innocent. On June seventeenth, trial was held 356 00:26:56,720 --> 00:27:00,079 in Superior Court, Department eighty seven, City and County of Los Angeles, 357 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:11,039 State of California. In a moment the results of that trial, Clyde Black 358 00:27:11,079 --> 00:27:14,519 and the other four members of the Hitchhike Bandit gang were tried and convicted in 359 00:27:14,599 --> 00:27:18,400 Superior Court on one count of murder and several counts of robbery and assault with 360 00:27:18,519 --> 00:27:22,079 intent to commit murder. All five are now serving life terms in the state 361 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:29,000 penitentiary. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files 362 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:32,440 Technical Advice Board. Dragnet comes from the Office of Chief of Police W. 363 00:27:32,640 --> 00:27:36,599 A. Wharton, Los Angeles Police Departments, cartooned for the Stars on NBC 364 00:27:45,279 --> 00:27:52,160 Welcome Back. One thing that has stood out to me this time listening to 365 00:27:52,319 --> 00:28:00,480 the program is how absolutely central her Butterfield was an early Dragnet. Since I've 366 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:06,799 really learned and just have been recognizing his voice all the time, I'm just 367 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:12,799 hearing to what degree he was utilized on this series because he played Lee Jones, 368 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:18,519 but on radio he was far more than that. He's played so many 369 00:28:18,680 --> 00:28:23,640 characters from police captains, a taxi driver. Of course, he was the 370 00:28:23,799 --> 00:28:30,599 titular big grifter, and in this episode he played the agreed father of the 371 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:37,400 marine lieutenant and did such a good job conveying that motion. Coupled with Jack 372 00:28:37,480 --> 00:28:41,960 Webb's narration, he does all these parts so well, and I think that 373 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:45,319 being able to use him in all of these character roles maybe part of the 374 00:28:45,400 --> 00:28:52,680 reason why Lee Jones hasn't appeared in as many episodes in recent weeks. I 375 00:28:52,839 --> 00:29:00,119 also thought Thad Brown's little statement on motives was interesting. I don't care what 376 00:29:00,200 --> 00:29:03,720 their reason is. Somebody's robbing and shooting. It's our job to stop them. 377 00:29:04,279 --> 00:29:08,240 That's the trouble with motives. They show up after the murder, and 378 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:14,680 that's turned out to be the case. Also, the streak of Friday and 379 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:19,440 Romero being denied food due to crime that was observed a few weeks ago continues. 380 00:29:21,039 --> 00:29:23,359 Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, 381 00:29:23,359 --> 00:29:26,920 and I want to go ahead and thank Bruce. Bruce has been one of 382 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:32,480 our Patreon supporters since March's currently supporting the show at the shamous level of four 383 00:29:32,559 --> 00:29:34,759 dollars or more per month. Thank you, so much for your support, 384 00:29:34,880 --> 00:29:40,640 Bruce, and that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the 385 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:47,200 podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate 386 00:29:47,279 --> 00:29:52,119 and review the podcast wherever you download it from. Join us tomorrow for public 387 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:59,000 domain video theater at videotheater dot Great Detectives dot net, or on our YouTube 388 00:29:59,079 --> 00:30:03,240 channel as we begin to play some episodes of Racket Squad. And of course 389 00:30:03,359 --> 00:30:08,319 we will be back next Saturday on this podcast with another episode of Dragnet. 390 00:30:08,759 --> 00:30:15,400 But join us back here tomorrow as we celebrate four thousand, four hundred episodes 391 00:30:15,799 --> 00:30:19,559 with a very special episode of the Watch Radio Theater where they're giving us petrol. 392 00:30:19,640 --> 00:30:22,079 We'll be in a knowledge in an hour. I'm afraid you can't. 393 00:30:22,319 --> 00:30:27,200 Oh why not, ma'am is The dyke has been abandoned very another They expected 394 00:30:27,279 --> 00:30:30,839 to collapse at any moment. Than if I may use your phone, I'll 395 00:30:30,880 --> 00:30:33,559 have knowledge tenders along. I'm afraid you can't do that either, So whire 396 00:30:33,640 --> 00:30:37,920 is it down. There's no way to communicate with the outside. But we 397 00:30:37,039 --> 00:30:41,119 must be a knowledge before tomorrow. That's impossible, Sergeant. Even at the 398 00:30:41,200 --> 00:30:44,000 rain stops, it will be at least two or three days before three days. 399 00:30:44,680 --> 00:30:48,000 I couldn't stand it. Set. You'd better put the entire stuff on 400 00:30:48,079 --> 00:30:53,359 emergency duty. They're bringing in more casual systems. Why Valery Good, Evening, 401 00:30:53,519 --> 00:31:00,359 doctor Jeff, how do you get here? Valerie Good? Sister Lari 402 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:04,279 cons the mids Y Coons was on the way to prison to be hanged in 403 00:31:04,319 --> 00:31:07,519 the money. But now they'll just have to wait. Oh, can't you 404 00:31:07,519 --> 00:31:14,720 see it in the newspapers postpone because of rain, just like a. I 405 00:31:14,759 --> 00:31:18,720 hope you'll be with us then in the meantime. Send your comments to Box 406 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:22,680 thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, 407 00:31:22,799 --> 00:31:29,200 and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash Great Detectives 408 00:31:29,319 --> 00:31:33,480 from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham, Sign and AF